Letters

AN INFORMED CITIZENRY

Thank you for the excellent articles, “Dirty Wars” by Michael Keating and “From Anticolonialism to Anticommunism: The Genesis of the American War in Vietnam” by Marc Leepson. There have been many books and articles written about our great American blunder, but these two articles were concise, objective, and factual. The origins of our involvement in the creation of a useless war that caused such heavy and long-lasting destruction to our country—as well to the Vietnamese—should be required exploration for all high school students. It is the only way that I can think of to create an informed citizenry with the hopes of not repeating disasters.

I also recommend Abuse of Power by Theodore Draper for a superb analysis of the historical documents that demonstrate and exemplify the narrow-mindedness, shallow thinking, and egocentricities of those we elect to lead our nation—another book that I would make mandatory in both civics and history classes in our schools.

Unfortunately, I know that none of the above will ever occur. So we will be left with the pains of our losses and the horrors of our actions by repeating these mistakes again and again.

Julian Gonzalez, M.D.
By Email

STILL AMBUSHED

As I read “Dirty Wars: The French in Indochina and Algeria,” it occurred to me that the word “France” could be replaced by the word “America.” At the end of World War II, the Allies decided that the Soviet Union would occupy and control Eastern Europe under Soviet communism. The U.S. was outraged that Germany had invaded and occupied France, but then decided to fund France to reoccupy Southeast Asia. Made sense, I guess: They were Asians and needed to be occupied to stop the spread of communism. After all, we had just put tens of millions of Europeans under communism, and now we needed to stop it in Asia.

I read that the Vietnamese had figured out how to ambush French helicopters. First, put some anti-aircraft guns on both mountains overseeing a valley, then ambush a French patrol, followed by helicopters flying in to assist or rescue the French troops, followed by shooting down the helicopters. The U.S. later fell for the same tactic. We lost more than six thousand helicopters in Southeast Asia.

I doubt if anyone at West Point today will read your article or evendiscuss it because they are “too smart.” In fact, in Afghanistan in 2005, we had four SEALS dropped off to go after a Taliban leader. They got discovered by sheepherders, and for unknown reasons they didn’t abort the mission. Ultimately, three SEALs are killed (one is buried here in Chico), and the Lone Survivor becomes a movie. One SEAL called for help on a satellite phone (something the one hundred Taliban wanted him to do). The U.S. sent two Chinooks without gunship escorts. A rocket-propelled grenade (one story claimed it was shot by a 12-year-old boy—reminds me of Vietnam) took down one, killing sixteen troops, including eight SEALs.

Fifty years after the Vietnamese started entrapping helicopters, the U.S. was still falling for the same ambush. I never read if any officers were court-martialed for the disaster. Probably not, and maybe the idiot officers are teaching at West Point.

“Dirty Wars” is a great piece and just maybe one top military person will read it and think.

Bob Mulholland
Chico, California

TREADMILL CONTINUES

Just read “From Anticolonialism to Anticommunism”—another great piece on our lives. I had not previously read FDR’s exact quotes against the French reinvading Indochina. Back in the 1980s, I first read about American troops parachuting into Vietnam and meeting up with Ho Chi Minh to jointly resist the Japanese.

In fact, one of our medics gave medical aid to Ho Chi Minh when he was very ill. I tracked down one of those paratroopers in the Midwest and asked him if the U.S. military or the CIA had talked to any of them about Ho before the U.S. went full throttle in Vietnam. His answer: No, not to him, and he never heard from the other guys that they had been contacted.

I guess the “Best and the Brightest” didn’t need to find out any details on Ho, including that nationalism was his top priority.

George W. Bush invades Iraq, followed by Obama invading Libya and Syria. Yet Congress, so neutered, has not declared war on anyone since World War II. The treadmill continues.

Bob Mulholland
By Email

FLEEING IN FEAR

I was diagnosed with PTSD a number of years ago and continue to be in therapy with the VA. While there are many issues I am dealing with, one involved children in Laos, part of the “secret war” I was involved in. I won’t go into particulars, but it was a horrific event. Unfortunately, the cover on the November/December issue of The Veteran threw me for a loop and triggered a flashback. Fortunately, my PTSD therapy has taught me how to deal with these types of triggers.

I read the article by Anne Watts; it was cute, but the cover art—while conveying the event—shows stereotyped Asian children fleeing from a helicopter in fear. Please be sensitive to what such a picture might mean to others.

Michael Burton
By Email

My apologies for upsetting any readers. I was charmed by Anne’s story and very pleased with Travis King’s illustration, which I thought did a terrific job of depicting an event that was fun, scary, and foreign. I regret that I didn’t consider that others might react according to circumstances unrelated to the article. —Editor

TAKEN ABACK

I was quite taken aback upon receiving the November/December issue and seeing the cover. Its connection to the related article, “Qui Nhon Christmas 1967,” was apparent, but I found the imagery disturbing and entirely inappropriate. Surely there was a better way of portraying and characterizing the event. Am I the only reader to comment and take offense?

Otherwise, I find your magazine and its articles to be thoughtful and well written, and I look forward to each new issue. Keep up the good work, but please keep in mind the sensitivities of your readers and choose graphics/imagery more carefully.

Tim S. Smith
Mansfield, Ohio

STILL IN PAIN

I did not serve in the Vietnam War, but I am a helper at a chapter meeting place. I usually pick up whatever magazines are on the counter. But this time, I almost dropped it in shock. I had seen those little brown faces in full terror in the school where I taught. I saw pictures they drew very similar to the one on your cover. I taught these little ones math, English, and social skills. They were very precious—and I enjoyed every minute of working with them.

However, there were some teachers, one in particular, who must have had something really bad in her heart. She asked me, “How can you touch them? They are like animals and dirty.” No, they weren’t. They were humans, little ones in need of feeling safe and cared for by more than just the family members who made it here with them.

It was a memory I had almost lost over the years. It hurt for me to see the pain they were in.

A lot of people are still in pain over that war. 

Linda Wood
Las Vegas, Nevada

A REMARKABLE HISTORY

As a new member of VVA, I was especially impressed with the November/December issue, which contained several well-done articles honoring Native Americans. I learned that they are the most decorated of all minorities per capita in every American war—a remarkable history. I learned that there are 567 tribes and 150,000 American Indian veterans, as well as lots of other information.

My duty in the USAF was as a race relations program trainer, so this coverage of native cultures really interested me. Thank you for such excellent research and writing.

John C. Miller
By Email

OTHER EFFORT

“Forging a Vision: The National Native American Veterans Memorial” in the most recent issue contains a glaring omission. In the short paragraph that mentioned “efforts” in Riverside, Calif., Wisconsin, and “other,” I would like to attest that the “other” was an effort by a brother VVA member and current Ft. Lauderdale Chapter 23 President Stephen Bowers. He is also the Native Americans vice chair of the VVA Minority Affairs Committee.  

In 2009 he was charged by Seminole Tribal Chairman Mitchell Cypress to introduce the idea of a memorial for American Indians in D.C. Initially called the Native American Veteran Memorial Initiative, Bowers brought it to his chapter, which passed the resolution. When it was brought before the Florida State Council, it failed.

Renamed the American Indian Veteran Memorial Initiative, in 2013 it was reintroduced at the VVA Convention, and a resolution of support passed easily. I was there; it got my vote.

Bowers and his wife, Elizabeth Bowers Bates, for years and at their own expense trod the length and breadth of this country attending American Indian gatherings and congresses to garner support and raise funds for a monument on the Mall. 

Our VVA brother was out front on the memorial, only learning about the defunct 1994 NMAI mandate after the fact. Point is, nary a mention of that in the article. Couldn’t Mr. Triplett have interviewed Stephen Bowers?  

Pat Dunne
Hollywood, Florida

Bill Triplett did interview Stephen Bowers. The contributions of the Seminole Tribe and Bowers are fully described in a three-page spread in the July/August 2013 issue. The article, written by Triplett, is entitled “Left Behind: Honoring Native American Veterans.” —Editor

PROUD AND ASHAMED

Your last issue answered a lot of questions I had often wondered about. I was in Vietnam 1965-66 and still haven’t forgiven how badly we were treated by the American people. We American Indians were always taught to serve and protect our homeland. That’s what we did and were proud to do it, but they made us feel ashamed.

I served in the Artillery and have severe hearing loss. I hauled ammo, but you help wherever they need help around the gun. Evenings we went on patrols hunting Charlie to see what he was doing. You had lots of jobs, not just one, but back in America no one really cared when the dead came home. They showed no respect for the families.

The government has never said it’s sorry for turning its back on us. I’d like the President to say he’s sorry, but I know he never will.

I was 19 years old in Vietnam. I’m 72 now. When we got home, they just opened the gate and let us go. We didn’t know anything about PTSD or TBI. Otherwise, I may not have been in prison now, with one foot in the grave, the other on a banana peel.

Caston Wilson
Boley, Oklahoma

GESTURE OF BROTHERHOOD

I’m a veteran of the Army, served 1995-99. Recently I became disabled due to a chronic illness. My veteran county rep asked if it was okay for her to let one of the organizations know my history and I agreed.

Fast forward a couple months: On December 17 a couple of veterans from VVA’s Green Bay, Wisconsin, Chapter 224 were at my door with turkey, ham, groceries, and even gift certificates and a gift for my six-year-old son. This year has been a rough one, and this gesture of brotherhood touches me so deeply.

Thank you so much for all you do and for helping me out in these months of need.

Cory M. Anderson
By Email

UNEXPECTED GENEROSITY

My family and I would like to extend our gratitude for the assistance that was sent to us after hurricane Harvey flooded southeast Texas last August. The generosity from all over the country was enormous and unexpected. Beaumont Chapter 292 did a wonderful job of finding many veterans in need, even after the flooding occurred in their area as well as in our area fifty miles west.

This type of generosity makes me proud to be a member of VVA. My Chapter 922 often donates to needy veterans and other organizations.

Bob Morgan
Baytown, Texas

NUMBER ONE GI

Regarding Pete Peterson’s “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire” in Government Affairs, the most sure-fire way I’ve been able to quickly identify an in-country vet is that when I see a likely individual wearing a Vietnam veteran cap (or anyone trying to portray such), I simply walk up and offer to shake hands and ask: “You a boucoup number one GI?”

If that doesn’t immediately bring a smile to the man’s face and a hardy, “Yes, I am,” then I know he’s not an in-country vet. He may be an era vet and that’s okay, too. But it separates the frauds from the men.

Jim Niemeyer
By Email

DOUBLE STANDARDS

In the last Government Affairs Report in the section titled “Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire,” I was surprised to see John Garofalo condemned for the identical practices engaged in by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

Both made illegal and immoral claims of service as Vietnam veterans. I am a veteran of the war and condemn both these individuals and others who falsely claim service.

The irony and hypocrisy displayed is that while the organization would see Garofalo punished for his misdeeds, Blumenthal was awarded kudos at VVA’s National Convention this past summer.

Are we to believe the same double standards against which VVA leadership rails incessantly are okay in some circumstances (when seeking political favors) and absolutely abhorred in other situations?

It would seem leadership has taken on the cloak of dishonor worn by so many it criticizes. In my opinion, it has turned away from embodying the courage, honor, and commitment our brothers and sisters rightfully expect.

Fred Rothaermel
Charleston, South Carolina

FULL SUPPORT

In regard to the underrepresentation of support units, I was with the 1st Logistical Command at Long Binh in the 185th Maintenance Battalion. In 1967-68 my company lost two officers while I was there. The ammo dump was attacked and almost destroyed during Tet.

During the war, the total for all 1st Log units was 592 killed, 1,500 injured, and two awarded the Medal of Honor.

Louis Wacker
Chico, California

POSITIVE MISIDENTIFICATION

Thanks for printing our letters—“PTSD Help Behind Bars” and “Reconsidering Life”—in the last two issues. However, our chapter number was incorrectly listed. We are Veterans of Graterford Chapter 466.

We appreciate all the time you commit and the articles you have in the magazine. Keep up the good work.

Richard S. Caravella
Graterford, Pennsylvania

CROOKS AND LIARS

Vietnam veterans were in the Nam based on a blatant lie by LBJ, who uttered this “promise” on October 21, 1964: “I promise not to send American boys nine or ten thousand miles from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves.” On that promise, I was married on December 26, 1964, and spent part of my honeymoon on a troopship ride of twenty-three extremely hot days, attempting to sleep every night in a total sweat in the spring of 1965, only to have the invasion of tiny Vietnam awaiting me—all based on two lies by one of the worst presidents of the last century.

When I landed, à la John Wayne in a war movie, I somehow knew that the U.S. had lost the war and we didn’t belong there. How prophetic I was.

The “Peace President,” LBJ, lied to me and to more than two million men who followed, only to have another one of the worst presidents, Nixon, lie to this somehow trusting country again. I, for one, don’t appreciate being lied to about an event that didn’t even happen in the Tonkin Gulf in August ’64. We were lied to by two of the biggest crooks and liars who just happened to be our elected leaders.

Shouldn’t this country have learned from its first mistake, LBJ?

Dick Dettrey
By Email

AUSSIE QUILTS OF VALOUR

I was most interested in an article in the July/August 2017 issue about Quilts of Honour. I am a U.S. Army veteran living in Australia who served in Vietnam with the 9th Inf., 709th Maint. Bn. and the 191st AHC. My wife arranged for me to be awarded a Quilt of Valour from the Australian organisation modelled on the American version. The quilt was wrapped around me, along with some words spoken in a private ceremony at my home. This was the first time that anyone had thanked me for my “Service, Sacrifice and Valour.” I cried unashamedly.

As my wife says, “Most people would say, ‘Thank you,’ and move on, but not my husband. He says, ‘Thank you, how can I help?’” We immediately signed on for what has become a heart-warming journey. We award the quilts in a brief ceremony in many venues—meetings, private homes, and nursing homes.

We award quilts to those who have been touched by war or war-like situations. Each time I wrap a quilt around the shoulders of a recipient I get a sensation akin to a transference of energy. We have awarded quilts to veterans of World War II, Korea, and the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

One of the most moving was at a palliative care unit at a hospital where a veteran had been given a prognosis of less than two weeks. As I laid the quilt over him and said my words of comfort he had the biggest grin imaginable on his face.

All of our quilts are made by volunteers and are as individual as the people to whom we award them. NSW is a large state and we cover a lot of miles on our mission. We get more back than we give.

Stanley V. Allen
New South Wales, Australia